What impact did the Counter Reformation have on religious art and architecture in Venice - Essay Example

de that separated the “elite” and “universal” religion on one side and the “popular” and “local” religious practices on the other side that involved both Protestants and Catholics in many parts of Europe.1 (William A. Christian, Jr., 1981) Jean Delumeau,2 a reputed French historian, believed that Counter Reformation was more of “cultural domination” that was used to convert the masses to Christianity. According to him it was a fundamental breaking away from medieval Christianity that was practiced by a greater majority of people.

In this context, art and architecture during this period was greatly influenced and changed according to the changes made in society. For example, during the period of 1450 – 1660, art and architecture moved away from the mystical elements of medieval Catholicism and ushered in an era of progressive minds whose sculptures and paintings was based on a naturalistic approach based on scientific study. The Medieval period saw theorists approach and gauge artistic values in a more theoretical manner that mostly emphasized the spiritual, religious, and moral teachings of the Church.

However, during the period of the 1420’s, art and architecture was viewed from a very different perspective that was based on naturalism. Anthony Blunt3 (1985) in his book titled ‘Artistic Theory in Italy, 1450 – 1660’ sheds light on Leon Battista Alberti’s writings explaining about the changes that took place in Italy in the field of art and architecture due to the influence brought about by the social, cultural and political changes that were ushered in by the Reformation. He explains that Alberti adopted a Humanistic approach in all of his writings on architecture, paintings and sculpture.

Three of his best treatises were – a painting - Della Pittura di Leon Battista Alberti Libri tre, written in 1436, the ten books of architecture, De Re Aedificatoria written in 1450 and a pamphlet on sculpture, De Statua which he probably